logologo-optometry

Commonwealth tour

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Catalogue Number: 104
Commonwealth tour
Category: Book
Sub-Category: Significant book (Aitken collection)
Author: GILES, George H.
Year Of Publication/Manufacture: 1957
Time Period: 1940 to 1999
Place Of Publication/Manufacture: London
Publisher/Manufacturer: British Optical association
Description Of Item: The book is paper cover 230 x 150 mm, 120 pages with a fold out map at the back. It is reprinted from the "Dioptric News". It is written in diary form and provides great insights into the attitudes and manners of the day in the profession of optometry. There are a number of photographs of various optometric leaders of the day with George Giles. This copy is inscribed with a handwritten presentation note from Giles to HR Edwards, a Victorian optometrist (c1900 - 1996). A letter from Giles to Edwards is included in the book.Two copies. COPY 1 includes an inscription and letter from the author to Harold Edwards Located in Archive room. East wall. Books of historical note. COPY 2 has inscription from Giles to Keith (Attiwill?)
Historical Significance: George Giles OBE was the Secretary of the British Optical Association. He toured India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and East Africa from September 27 to November 26 1955 to lecture and give advice to optometrists. He visited Melbourne and the Australian College of Optometry during the tour when he was made an honorary life member of the College (see page 59). It is said by his Melbourne hosts that prior to this ceremony Giles had a little too much to drink and hence the story on p59 of sleeping in and John Strachan and Ivor Lewis helping him dress. George Giles OBE FBOA FSMC DOrth (1904-1965) was a prominent figure in UK optometry and was the Secretary of the British Optical Association from 1941-1965. At various times he was Senior Examiner of the BOA, Senior Staff refractionist, Senior Orthoptist and Lecturer at the London Refraction Hospital, consultant to the Incorporated Thames Nautical Training College (HMS "Worcester"), Registrar of the Joint Council of Qualified Opticians, Technical Adviser to the London Optical Company, Honorary Secretary of the West and North West London and Middlesex Local Association, member of the General Optical Council, President of the International Optical League, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a Fellow of the Illuminating Engineering Society, Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society and an Ernest Aves Medallist. He also qualified as a barrister of Lincoln's Inn. Giles edited the Dioptric Review and The British Journal of Physiological Optics. He co-designed the Giles-Archer Colour Vision Unit and various orthoptic instruments.
How Acquired: Donated by Harold Edwards. member of the College
Condition: Copy 1 fair; Copy 2 good
Location: Nathan Library. Aitken collection

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